Doesn't that face, that intense look inspire you? It certainly did me. It is actually the face of the Turkish actor who played the hero in the NetFlix historical romance series "Kurt Seyit and Sura." I highly recommend this series for historical romance lovers.
Here is how I've planned out my character,
Captain Ethan Beckett, formerly Rev. Ethan Becket of Charles Town.
Basics: grieving widower,
bitter since wife’s death, left the ministry and returned to the sea, his first love.
Physical
Description: tall- 6 feet, 2 in.; muscular, deep-set pewter eyes, chestnut brown
hair pulled back in a queue (braid), full beard and mustache, sun-tanned square
face; flaring nostrils; straight eyebrows; thick neck, arms, chest; thin lips;
great with sword and sailing a ship.
Internal Goal/motivation– overcome his grief and bitterness over wife’s
death and second child at birth and raise his first
child Joshua in a happy home
External
– Find and rescue his sister from Spanish captivity
Core Need: To find the peace and happiness he once
had during his first marriage and ministry
Character and Spiritual Arc
Persona: (face he shows the world) Bitter, easily angered,
arrogant, now drinks, doesn’t think God cares or was fair in letting his godly
wife Olivia and child die in child birth.
Vows never to love again.
Essence: unmoored, feels cut-off from all that is good,
guilt-ridden for backsliding, feels a failure, wishing he could find his way
back to sanity and peace.
Will Become: a stronger minister than he ever was with renewed
faith in God’s love, care and power to forgive and cleanse. No longer angry or bitter, quits drinking,
humble, able to risk loving again.
I have further notes planning my romantic arc for Captain Becket.
Now you've been introduced to my heroine and hero in my wip. How do you like them? In my next blog I'll share about those important secondary characters that enrich our story.
I'm busy finishing the first three chapters and a proposal for some editors I met at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May who liked my pitch for this series and asked to see a proposal. Yes, tis a lot of work! But I'm taking you on the journey with me!
Are you working on a novel? Would love to hear your comments or questions. And please do share this blog on Twitter and Face book by clicking on the icons below.
Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin
